A new program is hoping to help students prepare for the world outside Iowa State.

Laura Bestler-Wilcox, faculty adviser for Leadership Enrichment Action Program (LEAP), said the program is being created to help students become confident after college.

The cyclone level of LEAP will hopefully give students the information and practical applications for how they can make their transition out of the university a successful one,Πshe said.

Bestler-Wilcox said they are still in the designing and researching phase. She is hoping to involve Career Services and the Senior Class Council in the research and advertising for the program.

Amanda Smallridge, senior in family and consumer sciences education, is working with Bestler-Wilcox on the program.

Some sample sessions could include budgeting a new income, an alumni panel and professional communication,Œ she said. It will include vital information that students need and should know before graduating.Œ

Smallridge said she is hoping to target juniors and seniors who will be graduating within the next year.

[Smallridge] is doing background research, developing what the program should entail and surveying juniors and seniors for what their needs are,ΠBestler-Wilcox said.

The other levels of LEAP, cardinal and gold, are focused on helping individuals develop their leadership skills to put into action their first few years at Iowa State, Bestler-Wilcox said. The cyclone level focuses on helping students transition to the new challenges outside the university.

Rebecca Jones, junior in civil engineering,went through the cardinal and gold levels as a freshman and is now a general co-chairwoman for LEAP. She said she is excited to start the cyclone level this year.

The additional level is important because it is a great resource for people close to graduating who get extensive help in rEsumEs and interviewing, but may not be exposed to the other skills that the cyclone level will focus on,ΠJones said.

Anyone interested in helping develop this event can call Bestler-Wilcox at 294-1023.